DA left embarrassed as Patricia De Lille survives motion of no confidence

We've got the Patrica De Lille latest. The Executive Mayor of Cape Town has survived a motion of no confidence, brought by her own party.

LANGA, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 14: City of Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille during a service to pray for her at World Harvest Ministries on January 14, 2018 in Langa, South Africa. De Lille received a hero's welcome as the DA federal executive met elsewhere in Cape Town to discuss her future. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Esa Alexander)

In a massively embarrassing move for the DA, City of Cape Town Mayor Patricia De Lille has survived a motion of no confidence by just one vote on Thursday afternoon.

De Lille had earlier gone to the Western Cape High Court in order to force the vote to be conducted by secret ballot. While the court did not order the council to use a secret ballot, it did agree with De Lille that councillors should be able to vote whatever way they choose and not be punished for it. The DA was also ordered to pay De Lille’s legal costs.

Although De Lille narrowly survived, Thursday’s motion comes on the back of months of in-fighting between De Lille and the DA. De Lille’s party has wanted her out for months with numerous allegations leading to official charges and a suspension from party activities.

De Lille has repeatedly denied all accusations and accused the DA of pushing back against her efforts to bring more diversity in positions in Cape Town.

Cape Town ANC caucus leader Xolani Sotashe says black people in the DA are used like condoms. Used #DeLille now dumping her. DA saying removing her for corruption and maladministration, but say Cape Town is a well-run city. (@TammyPetersen87)